The first Sinulog was said to have originated when the adviser of King Humabon named Baladhay fell sick. In his grief, King Humabon ordered that Baladhay be brought to the room where he had enthroned the image, along with the other pagan gods of native Cebuanos.
For 32 years, the Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Basically, the festival is done by a dance ritual, in which it tells the story of the Filipino people's pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.
Join The Street Parties
Prior to and after the main parade, street parties are everywhere in Cebu during the evening. So join the locals
Enjoy The Food
Cebu is one of the best places in the Philippines to enjoy Filipino foods. From the famous Lechon, rumba, b-ami or Puso
Watch The Fireworks
Join the grand finale of Sinulog festival with a bang by watching the fireworks display in the evening
Explore The City
Cebu is known for its history. So take a night walk from Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to Magellan’s Cross
What is Sinulog Festival?
Besides the religious part of the celebration, Sinulog is also well-known for its street parties before the day of celebration and during the day of the festival
Read on to learn more Sinulog Festival information if you're planning to experience this unique cultural activity in the Philippines
When is Sinulog in Santo Nio?
The third Sunday of January is actually one of the last days of the Sinulog celebrations; the festival properly launches more than a week before this date
The city government, local ecclesiastics and Santo Niño devotees kick Sinulog off with a penitential walk to the Basilica del Santo Niño
Why is Sinulog celebrated in Cebu?
With this, Sinulog has become the biggest and grandest festival of the country
In the terms of local Cebuano dialect, the word “Sinulog” is translated as “graceful dance
” Etymologically, the word is derived from the Cebuano adverb “sulog” which roughly means “water current” of the Pahina river in Cebu province
×Pre-colonial eraThe Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). The festival has its roots in the pre-colonial era, when the native Cebuanos worshipped the ancient deities Anito and Bathala. The festival is done by a dance ritual, which tells the story of the Filipino people's pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity. The word “Sinulog” means “graceful dance”.,Answer: For 32 years, the Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Basically, the festival is done by a dance ritual, in which it tells the story of the Filipino people's pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity.Answer: For 32 years, the Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).... The word “Sinulog” means “graceful dance”, wherein it all started in 1980 with a simple dance that represents the “sulog” (or current) of a river in Cebu.The Sinulog Festival features a long and rich history that dates back to the 16th century. It honors the Santo Niño de Cebu, a holy relic believed to be the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. Additionally, the festival has its roots in the pre-colonial era, when the native Cebuanos worshipped the ancient deities Anito and Bathala.Historians say that Sinulog is the link between the country’s pagan past and its Christian present. Historical accounts say before Portuguese navigator came to Cebu on April 7, 1521 to plant the cross on its shore and claim the country for the King of Spain, Sinulog was already danced by the natives in honor of their wooden idols and anitos.
Cultural background of sinulog festival
1521 battle between Ferdinand Magellan and Lapulapu
The Battle of Mactan(Filipino: fil>Labanan sa Mactan; Spanish: es>Batalla de Mactán) was a battle fought on a beach in Mactan Island between the forces of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and local allies, and Lapulapu, the chieftain of the island, on the early morning hours of April 27, 1521. Magellan, a Portuguese-born commander serving the Spanish Empire who led an expedition that ultimately circumnavigated the world for the first time, commanded a small Spanish contingent in an effort to subdue Mactan led by Lapulapu under the Spanish crown. The sheer number of Lapulapu's forces, compounded with issues on the location and armor, ultimately resulted in a disastrous defeat to the Europeans and the death of Magellan. Surviving members of Magellan's crew continued the expedition under the command of Juan Sebastian de Elcano, who completed the journey in September 1522.
